Liverpool fans are likely to be upset by the behind-the-scenes discussions surrounding the potential £84.9m transfer.

The 2025 summer transfer window is shaping up to be a chaotic and unpredictable period for Premier League clubs.

Several top English sides—including Liverpool and Arsenal—are expected to pursue attacking reinforcements. That might seem surprising in Liverpool’s case, considering they’ve scored 80 league goals this season, with only PSG (84), Barcelona (89), and Bayern Munich (90) outperforming them across Europe’s top leagues.

However, with Mohamed Salah contributing 28 of those goals (35%), it’s clear Liverpool are overly dependent on their star forward.

So, is Hugo Ekitike a target for the Reds?

Ekitike could be a valuable addition to share the scoring load alongside Salah. Reports suggest the French striker is at least under consideration by Liverpool, though they may need to act fast—with Arsenal also expressing interest.

Complicating matters, Eintracht Frankfurt are keen to retain Ekitike in the Bundesliga, reportedly using the prospect of a future Real Madrid move as an incentive to convince him to stay.

“Arsenal and Liverpool are still interested in Hugo Ekitike,” Christian Falk revealed to CaughtOffside in his Fact Files column. “Frankfurt are preparing for his departure, but hope Champions League qualification could persuade him to remain. With a €50m budget for next season, retaining him is possible—but tough.”

Frankfurt reportedly want €100m (£84.9m) and are hoping he’ll only leave for a club like Real Madrid. If they qualify for the Champions League, Ekitike is likely to favour clubs also competing at that level.

Meanwhile, Liverpool face a dilemma with Darwin Núñez. Despite being a fan favourite, he appears to be misaligned with new head coach Arne Slot’s vision and is expected to be sold this summer. His departure would free up funds and a valuable squad spot.

Statistically, Liverpool need a forward whose output rivals that of Salah and Gakpo:

The dream signing for Liverpool might be Newcastle’s Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker has averaged a goal contribution every 95.43 minutes in 2024/25 and has valuable Premier League experience. However, concerns about his injury history—missing 39 games since the start of the 2022/23 season—and a likely fee exceeding Ekitike’s make him a costly gamble.

Ekitike, while still raw, could be a more dependable option in terms of availability—and possibly a more pragmatic choice for Liverpool moving forward.